Adjustable strap for electric fixtures



M, wElNsfEm 1,843,054

.ADJUSTABLE STRAP FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURES Jan. 26, 1932.

Fiied March 11. 1950 INVENTOR. florrie il insi in Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MORRIS WEINSTEIN, 0F PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 HERMAN LUSTIG, OF

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY ADJUSTABLE STRAP FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURES Application filed March 11,

This invention relates to an adjustable strap for electric fixtures and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a strap for securing electric fixtures to outlet boxes, wherein the strap is adapted for connection with outlet boxes of difierent types, thereby enabling a more diversified use of the strap and further enabling the same to be quickly, advantageously and economicall: applied.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strap of the character aforesaid which is provided with adjustable supporting means for fixtures whereby the strap is adapted for use in supporting fixtures of different sizes and types.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that such description and drawings are to be taken as illustrative and that the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a strap in accordance with this invention, showing the same in association with one type of outlet box and further showing an electric fixture supported thereby.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the strap showing the same in association with a different type of outlet box.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the strap with the adjustable extension removed.

Figure 4: is a fragmentary section taken at a point indicated by the line tl of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 indicates the body part of my improved strap which is of elongated formation and provided with a centrally disposed aperture 2, the wall of which is formed with a flange 3. Extending longitudinally of the strap is a pair of slots 4.- which are disposed in longitudinal alignment and one of which 1930. Serial No. 434,937.

is disposed on either side of the opening 2. Between the outer end of each slot 4 and the adjacent end of the strap, the latter is provided with a circular opening 5 which is in alignment with the slot 1 and the diameter of which is substantially equal to the width of the slot.

Spaced from one end thereof, the strap is provided with a lug 6 which extends at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the strap from a side edge of the latter. The lug 6 is formed with an elongated recess 7 which extends at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the strap. Spaced from the opposite end of the strap, the latter is provided with a lug 8 which projects from the side edge of the strap opposite to the lug 6 and which is formed with an elongated recess 9 which is disposed in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the strap. The recesses 7 9 have their longitudinal axes extending at right angles to each other. The recess 7 opens at the outer end edge of lug 6 and the recess 9 opens at the outer side edge of lug 8.

Adapted to be secured to each end of the strap is an extension 10 which is of elongated formation and provided with a longitudinally extending slot 11. Between the outer end of the slot 11 and the outer end of the extension 10, the latter is provided with a circular opening 12 which is disposed in longitudinal alignment with the slot 11 and which is of a diameter substantially equal to the width of the slot.

Formed on the inner end of each extension 10 is a neck 13 which is adapted to extend through one of the slots 4 in the strap 1 and which is formed at its outer end with a head 14. Extending through the slot 11 into threaded engagement with the wall of one of the openings 5 is a screw 15, the shank of which is slightly longer than the combined thicknesses of the extension 10 and strap 1 in order that the screw may be loosely applied. The length of the neck 13 is slightly greater than the thickness of the strap 1 in order to provide for a free sliding movement of the extension with the strap 1 disposed between the body of the extension and the head 14 on the neck 13.

In Figure 1, I illustrate my improved strap secured to an outlet box 16 having a threaded, centrally disposed shank 17 extending through the aperture 2, with the strap secured to the shank 17 by means of a suitable nut 18 which is threaded on the outer end of the shank and which abuts the lower face of the strap 1. An electric fixture 19 is shown suspended from the extension 10 by means of suitable screws 20, the shanks of which extend through apertures in a flange 21 on the fixture 19 and into threaded engagement with the openings 12 in the extensions 10.

In Figure 2, I illustrate my improved strap secured to an outlet box 22, the skirt of which is provided with a pair of inturned, apertured lugs 23. The strap 1 is secured to the box 22 by passing the recesses 7 and 9 formed in the lugs 6 and 8 into engagement with the shanks of a pair of screws 24, one of which is provided for each of the lugs 23 with the shanks in threaded engagement with the walls of the aperture in the lugs 23. It is not necessary to remove either of the screws 24 to couple the strap therewith, as, by first positioning, the recess 9 with respect to its corresponding screw, the strap maybe swung about such screw as a pivot to bring the recess 7 into position with respect to its corresponding screw. In the embodiment illustrated in both Figures 1 and 2, the extensions 10 are shown substantially midway their paths of travel longitudinally of the strap 1.

It is thought that the many advantages of an adjustable strap in accordance-with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A strap for electrical fixtures comprising an elongated body part, and a pair oflugs extended laterally from opposite side edges and disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said body part, said lugs being spaced from opposite ends of said edges and provided with elongated recesses open at one end, one of said recesses disposed at right angles and the other disposed parallel to said longitudinal axis, and said recesses having the longitudinal axes disposed at right angles to each other.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

MORRIS WEINSTEIN. 

